I'm going on a cruise in july. I wanted to get companion passes from a friend that works for an airline.?

Question

Would this be wise or foolish? Please give me the pros and cons!!!

Answer 1

I'm going to say foolish.  

You need to make sure that you are not going to a popular destination.  If your cruise is out of Galveston, you are probably fine.  Miami-probably not.  You also need to make sure your flight is not full.

The rules to buddy passes are strict.  One- if the flight is filled, free passengers are bumped first.  Not just that--but you are bumped even before other free flight people that actually work for the airline.  Two-you are flying standby the whole time, which means you might think you have a near empty flight (b/c it was when you checked in) but now it is not empty and you find out 2 minutes before departure that you will not be going. Three- you and your sig other will not be sitting together.  That doesn't give you much time to work out an alternative--and if you are flying with kids they are rather cranky by now.

July is a very common time for vacations.  And w/es are the busiest.  Unfortunately--your time puts you flying on a w/e in July.  Which doesn't leave you likely to make the first couple flights of the day.  Is that ok?

So you may spend the entire day before in the airport being bumped from one flight to the next --you stay b/c each one leaves in 20 min.  But you aren't able to get on them.

Is it is a common flight?  If you are flying NY to Chicago, you can't get on this flight you merely get on the next one 10 min later.  You are flying to San Juan, they may only have 2 flights that day and it is rough.  Cruise ships leave promptly.  There is no waiting.

If you do--

Plan to fly the day before.  That way if they are booked full, you have a spare day.

Research ahead of time.  When you call to make a reservation, explain to the reservation lady that you are a companion and want the most empty flight available.

Have options.  For example, if the cruise leaves Miami, the Fort Lauderdale airport is only about 10 min farther away, so tell them you have the option of flying Miami or Ft Lauderdale.

Buddy passes are great in circumstances.  If you are both adults flying.  If you are not so strict on when you get there.  If it is a common enough flight that the odds are in your favor.  As long as you make one of the next 10 flights, you'll get there on time.  As opposed to booking a last minute flight that only leaves you one out.  

The only real pro is that you get to fly for free.  Is the flight so cheap its almost not worth it?  If the flight is virtually empty--flying at a good time like Friday--or 1-3 pm departures--then you are likely to get on it.

The cons risk the airline overbooking and bumping you, you spending the entire day in an airport (which even some adults that would ruin the whole vacation), perhaps losing your luggage if it flies without you, perhaps not making it to the cruise at all.

Best case scenario--you miss the first flight.  get on the 2nd one, and make the cruise no problem.

Thing to consider is what are your backup plans.  Say they can't get you to Miami--are you willing to fly into Orlando and drive?  Do you have the time to drive from Orlando?  How much is a rental car?  Is it more than the flight would have been?  What alternative plans do you have--I've seen standbys offer $100 cash if someone would give up their seat.  It was snapped up and that man got on the flight he needed.  If there are 2 of you, compare that to the cost of booking the actual flight.

I don't know if I'd risk it.  Perhaps on the way back.

Answer 2

Depends on the airlines.  My brother in law works for a large airline and we used a "buddy" pass.  My husband and I were stuck for 2 days after our honeymoon in 2 different airports.  

We no longer use them because:

1.  You may get bumped- by passengers and by direct workers of the airline.

2.  Planes are now booked to the hilt.

3.  Fear of not arriving on time.- If you miss the boat- it sailed without you...

Answer 3

Pro- free air travel

Con-  Your cruise is a big investment - it would be a shame for you to miss your cruise because you got bumped repeatedly and missed the sailing.  

Don't have cruise line air and transfers?  Then if you should miss the departure you would have to pay out of your own pocket to meet up with the ship.  If you have cruise line air and flight delays cause you to miss the ship, the cruise line will get you to the next port to meet up with the ship.

Plus most travel insurance policy's won't help out in this situation.  At least if you bought your own air and flight delays caused you to miss the ship you would be in a good position for a claim with most travel insurance companies... Traveling on a companion pass though is typically not covered.